Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $44,300 a year ($21.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,690 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 7% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $47,880. There are 2.4 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $44,060, close to the median.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,830 | $16.27 |
| 25th percentile | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Median | $44,300 | $21.30 |
| 75th percentile | $46,400 | $22.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Average (mean) | $44,060 | $21.19 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,691.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,845.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,703.85 |
| Weekly | $851.92 |
| Hourly | $21.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,320 | 750 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $49,430 | 8,360 |
| Savannah, GA | $48,810 | 720 |
| Gainesville, GA | $48,350 | 300 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $48,190 | 670 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $48,110 | 240 |
| Hinesville, GA | $47,510 | 60 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $46,600 | 190 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $46,430 | 490 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $46,300 | 310 |
| Albany, GA | $45,460 | 260 |
| Valdosta, GA | $41,500 | 190 |
| Dalton, GA | $40,860 | 200 |
| Rome, GA | $36,400 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Electrician | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $57,750 | $27.76 |
| Carpenter | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Glazier | $48,540 | $23.34 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $41,060 | $19.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,950 | $36.52 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $51,740 | $24.88 |
| Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $58,210 | $27.99 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other | $36,830 | $17.71 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2073. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $44,300 a year, or $21.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $55,690 a year. The top 25% earn $46,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,830 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $38,830 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 230 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.